I couldn't even take comfort in the fact that the woman was surprised to see me, too. Even Flinty wasn't that surprised. But I was standing there agape and looking like a moron. I shook my head and slapped my cheeks.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXwC4vVSxj
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjF7Rt5YwA
"Hello. Kenny and Flinty, right? I assume you remember me from earlier."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuP0c7nhPt
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj82CutRbWt
"Yes! I had a feeling you might be the helper."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagiV4hwF9u
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpiPi5H9Zi
You had a feeling, Flinty? Why didn't you tell me? Why'd you leave me out?228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWYoEvnzzN
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XJyjO94f3
"I helped the bartender deal with the rowdy customers after you paid for my drink. By the time I was finished, one of your friends came and asked for help. I couldn't just say no."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscpHe8zd6c
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLnmDKdv92
How noble of her. Hmph. I looked away from the lady. She didn't take the hint and walked towards me.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXgUhBJqAO
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IA9DGze1k
"And you, thank you again for your generosity. I plan on returning the favor."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2JnZTK5Yt
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVbAgKk1f5
"...Sure."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFCUkK6vNj
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjZFubT0Cf
She offered a hand. I sighed and reluctantly took it. Well, I guess if she was willing to help when it got so late, she couldn't be a bad person, right?228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9u1VqjqCCC
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LKkSp4SPg
"I'm sorry that I cannot give you all my name. But for now, you may call me Kim."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaywAuLhcc
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTylFZMLuc
"Then, Kim," started Linda, "why don't you sit down at this here table? I'll have my daughter bring some drinks.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCIFwAOwX3
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmd5pedHRAL
Kim, Flinty, and I all sat at the circular table while Victoria and her mother left. I couldn't get a word to come out of my mouth, but Flinty was happily chatting with Kim. They were talking about the situation at first, then Flinty moved on to talking about how nice her cloak was. I didn't understand at all, how a conversation could steer in that direction so quickly.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82u0NSZXvl
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoxyQ8sxbw
As I complained, Victoria and Linda came back with a bunch of glasses of milk. It was warm, too, which I appreciated. I gulped it all down and continued sitting in silence as the women talked.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMnha63DMe
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kDdLTMqHq
"So, Kim, how much of the situation do you know?"228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfMRvEh2cl
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaruNTTOJql
"There's a monster that was just extinguished, and you all are trying to find the culprit."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mjeHwvdTb
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlbCLLSYgG
"Correct. Tomorrow, you, Victoria, and Kenny will venture into the forest and investigate."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaT7wcPYJ0
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwWsbJDV8I
"Wait, what!?"228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvlU5utxux
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQHlrK65zy
Flinty stood up and slammed the table.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡql60QVmdOT
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5N2bW0CVA
"Why not me?"228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZiCMIV0ll
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3efH5LnsS
"Well Flitny, you are still young, and you are also a far less experienced fighter than the other three."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrE6zs7z3PU
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8tYNAvRfH
I wasn't going to mention how I didn't have much experience fighting. I was hung on the implication that Victoria of all people had some.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHzOEUsH39
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCXBT1OKLL
"B-But, I can still help! I know how to use magic a little, I swear!"228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswmbJYJZSn
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMZWYnAaPb
No, you didn't.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gA4fvURrH
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIF3CF8YNU
"Sorry, Flinty, but even then, I cannot let such a young girl go, even with the likes of Kenny and Victoria."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVBV0wYD37
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRdrABLzKT
"C-Come on!" Kenny, back me up here!"228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJxIj1O3GL
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4SRnWKkpi
"Huh?"228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvm7FSmPfJ
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLu4kTTUTVm
I was taken by surprise and didn't know how to respond.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWQsWXIaWi
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD76ZbNI67p
"Uh... Well, Linda, if you're so sure of mine and Victoria's capabilities, why not let Flinty come along anyway? She might prove to be a valuable asset in other means."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRYcxJ7BiW
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aApzcv2Xn
"Mhm!"228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnS2Rwaq9t
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCPZke767w
Flinty sat down and stuck her hand out to me with her palm facing the ceiling. I gave her a high-five.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEA9UYNJFU
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvO8YQcZ5Ik
"I understand your reasoning, but I disallow it."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOEhTcebkH
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezdZQjGmSv
Flinty crossed her arms. She was looking at the floor with a frown.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyojVy1FYGb
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1pLHe3u8v
"...Fine."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJutRFzcpLz
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleK18bVSY4
She glanced at me with a wink. Ah, so that's what you're getting at. Alright. I winked back. I hope nobody noticed.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXphrRMflp
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlA9OUFifR
"Then, why don't we turn in for the night? The earlier we wake up, the better I say."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3KsUPdvfi
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWghJdtvOe2
"That sounds great," Kim said, "but where do I sleep?"228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuV7LpfaWgv
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsOpCUW6aL
"Right in this room," Victoria said, "This is where all the guests sleep. I'll make sure to wake you up early, so get to sleep quick!"228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ39P06XB7q
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnrlyBisZK
Kim and Flinty nodded. They stood up and stretched. Flinty left first to wash herself and all that other routine night care. Linda and Victoria left the room. I wanted to ask Victoria if she had combat experience before, or if she was a magician or something, but I missed my chance. Worst of all though, I was now in the room alone with Kim.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1sdJCJv7k
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfu5S2rsqke
Fortunately, she just waited by the side of her bed and didn't talk to me. I was happy for a minute before I remembered the assessment I made not even ten minutes ago. At the very least, I should try to talk to her, shouldn't I? So, I slowly got up and robotically marched to her location. Even through her cloak, I could tell that she was looking at me with a raised eyebrow.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdr2YC8RtB1
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrESEEMPL9d
"Is there... something you need?"228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VZgZomoGD
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBs912KTIHk
"Hi. I wanted to get to know you better because... yes, because it's a good idea since we're going on a mission tomorrow."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bPNeWFToK
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuL9hsC30T
I was starting to think that this woman possessed a curse of some type. I never struggled to converse with someone this badly.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5OaiSl81u
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEyGfXikB3
"Oh, that makes sense. Then, what did you want to talk about?"228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8d1upnvE9G
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZL7xPhnZsK
I took a seat beside the bed next to hers. Scratching my chin, I thought of a conversation topic and blurted the first one that came to my mind.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTboHJqeedA
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGjVd1gdez
"Why is it that you can't say your name?"228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjMz5NWSwo
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vnrZENEUW
"Ah, of course you'd be curious about that. Hmm..."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UUiY7WHeN
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She didn't immediately refuse to answer it, which gave me some hope.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuOz3BQNkd
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyS3QoZdVuX
"I can't tell you, sorry. But, to make it more fun, how about I give you a hint?"228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDGWh4vafv
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DjH5mfObS
"A hint? Sure, I'll play along with your game."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LblmK9LHv
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFcckFGtlM
She giggled a little. Creepy.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZW1czpgfg
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAY5uJpd0yO
"I can't give my name, and in some way, it's because of you."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jlcdw3oLQ
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsepMcKSuLZ
"..."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVloctiAZTt
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEmpok7rPV
What?228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguV5JIcoTP
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogZR4SK5QJ
I didn't think that's what she would say. She could tell I didn't think that, I made it obvious. I struggled to even respond to that. My heart sank even deeper than before. She noticed that, and suddenly became frantic.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0jqz6LYxY
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSIgN4Vcj8
"I-I don't mean it in a malicious way! It's not for a bad reason, I promise!"228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMB3eoRefy
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqK4YjhxKu
"O-Oh..."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgT7mUWPglS
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She sighed and mumbled something under her breath.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKV0X2RSx5
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasqEksrWg9
"Sorry. I forget that you're still a child."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoT5SVcAf4j
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Cz7IJWM1f
"I'm aware of it. It's a perfect excuse for almost anything."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRajnn7tE50
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFeo1RJRff
"Heh, aren't you a little demon?"228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEpnNrgiKx
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItzxoeayDa
"Nope, just a kid, that's all."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsQZkOB7TN
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaB5eKThD0
Yep, I'm just a kid who's been accepted into Talbot University.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZopXFNsjw
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtXL7Od50A
Okay, calm down, let's not get all haughty. It's not like me.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHtqxPLg5M
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXPC6OHZ6Z
But, can I really help myself? So many people have been telling me how great I am. It's bound to get to me eventually.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplGBcTD3xh
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULkQVc5abM
"You're an exceptional kid, that's for sure. I've already heard a few rumors regarding a boy who froze an entire block, and I knew that it was you when I heard them."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwrp5DN8Nt
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyN9G3kgYF
See? See what I mean!? Wait, that's not a good rumor at all.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBZeg9KnyM
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzv3PMi3qm
"M-Me? I didn't freeze a block, what are you talking about?"228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZiGqUbt7p
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyETEpy5s5v
"You can't weasel out of this one. It became front-page news. Not everyone knows your face of course, or your name, but they know the boy, and they know his attire."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPyIy2xie0
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0ikd9mMnP
Front-page news!?228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStCI4UY6nR
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9u7Ym0jy6R
"W-Wait, nobody confronted me about it, though. How could it be front-page news?"228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaigHoXgI7
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HaxRAbKYu
"O-Oh! Um, uh..."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKL4I6C1lE
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She started rubbing the back of her head. My suspicions were crawling back.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVT3NHXcrw
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkScesmrNp
"Don't tell me... you work as a journalist?"228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2j5emSuhI
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXu5RyHZau
She let out a breath of relief, for some reason.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55wpAL7WHt
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡraTRzIsD6X
"No, I don't."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZnhf1RL0k
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She answered with a straight face. Phew. She must've just had some insider knowledge, then. If I had the whole city looking at me like the people in the meeting, then I'd probably run out of here. Wait.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMyikTDqZj
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6OZr0xsuZ
"If you have any influence over the news in this city, please, please don't let them publish that! Or at least omit any descriptions of my appearance!"228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuCGrashZC
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLh2alp7Wi
"I-I'll see what I can do. It will be posted in two days, I might be able to convince them."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXBtKeeJLn
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifXObiidcY
"Thank you."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6DR5JadIn
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypUndeNc43
Our conversation stopped there, and though I wanted to continue it, I couldn't think of a new topic. It didn't matter though, because Flinty returned to the room. Kim stood up and left to do her night-care routine. Flinty say down at the bed parallel to the one I was on.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JR6QtKMgH
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaXrgGeyDS
"You look like you're in a good mood," I said.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zYYRDe5I0
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"Do I? I'm pretty nervous."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lu6iftfgf
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"Oh."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1SPpypOMu
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If that's how she looked when she was nervous, then I was jealous.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagV914ViER
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJSh0OJTR1
"But, I'm also excited. I'm gonna be sneaking into your group when Linda isn't looking."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWh1KSVVo33
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"Did you tell the other two about that plan?"228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11yXfecHLZ
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMGOBCNWjr
Her face froze. I sighed.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ls9mOgkr7
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpakUnE68dQ
"I-I'll do it in the morning."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlFySuS1Vy
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"Good luck."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7YOAszZHO
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ750DJHiFbO
She puffed her cheeks with a dainty pout.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TxEtUsw0x
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPTJyd9331
"It might be smarter if you tell the others. You can do it right after you leave."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWW9f06BH7
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcfDqSkrQB
"I don't think Victoria is going to like that. She'll listen to you better than she'll listen to me."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5plZqZYZrg
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiJcf366b3
"That is true. I'll have to wake up a bit early, then."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuzQwDavZG
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjXZdfO4XH
I nodded, agreeing with her assessment. Flinty picked up the magic book back and conversation ceased. I stood up and laid on the bed next to hers. Kim returned to the room. Flinty explained her plan to her, and she calmly agreed to it. We were ready to go to sleep.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVw5QbCX1Pj
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"Uh, Kenny, aren't you going to..."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBvNIonnvo
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcFu3uaTe4
Flinty was asking me a cut-off question.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FQ29eSXoN
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHWDkq6NJP
"Going to what?"228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zHTrj1ukb
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Xz0a7nNWg
"She's asking if you're going to wash yourself," said Kim.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunNsUVpFHQ
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"Huh? Wash myself?"228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4PSWsPtSc
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"Yes. Like we did."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsDLNj34DJ
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"I don't wash or anything before the night, though."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtclDbrRcho
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Kim looked at Flinty. She had a mortified expression on her face. I was suddenly feeling embarrassed.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EFYuMzyiX
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuMALnOvtG
"L-Look, they didn't do it in my hometown! I didn't know the culture was different here!"228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2e4KxyOG9I
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gwrnWKsXk
"Oh, then that makes sense," Flinty said. "But, I thought you didn't do it just because you were tired, or because you were in a new place."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1rPd7ODtr
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbF8AchM77
"What town did you come from?" Kim asked.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBAoVvQNzY
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"Buffalo Village."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1xyGgs5Sq
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"That's far. That village borders on Ferdinand Kingdom's area of control."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTF3O2KAG9
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"Really? I didn't know that."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGoZ0Pv6tV
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Kim looked like she was smiling.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5ZshrefaU
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAI9CloOmD0
"Well, that's because Ferdinand's Kingdom controls the lower parts of the Southern country, with a few exceptions."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHOYwBhOLv
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGGJTRqKDG
"You're really knowledgeable, Kim," I said.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT90i2ac02Z
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3J19nNzyON
"Anyway, Kenny, go wash yourself. I'm not sleeping in the same room if you don't, and I won't be leaving here either."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYp2cY6AUj
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrq47PfRo1
"Fine, fine."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0hK0RAxst
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I got up and moseyed to the door, exiting while popping my shoulder.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQGq8csNsl
"..."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaWhhJVadA
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpu3k1AUTS
At least she bought my explanation. I didn't want to tell her that I lost the habit because of... well, I knew why.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmOBgtvvgJ
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoIPYhy70S
"Now's a good time to get it back, though. I'm sure Anabelle would be proud of me right now."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oeMmz9WFl
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJpkgEB6cQ
So, with a raised fist and a smile, I went to find the shower and restroom.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrv5FPHIQC
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriz3F6AOQO
–
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–
"...Mmm."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDSsxhSxaR
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbaWyPKoJF
I woke up feeling slightly groggy. Last night's search for the restroom was a lot longer than it should've been. By the time I was done, I had to tiptoe to my bed to not wake up Flinty and Kim.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesO65B9mxy
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDTyIUcxmv
I yawned. Judging from the sky out the window, dawn just came. Surprisingly, Victoria wasn't here banging on a pot and yelling. I must've woken up early.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7GGtGq2h2
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFp8GjRuaf
I looked at the bed to my right. Flinty was missing. Worry rushed through my blood for a second before I realized that she was probably just outside. But no, I was wrong. Flinty on the ground, facing the wall, doing something I could've never guessed.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmb0DMkNLkL
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjwyurHuFs
She was making balls of water. I could tell that she was drenched. She took her vest off and laid it on the empty bed, likely to dry it. The ball of water she was holding failed and blew up. But, considering the last time I saw her use magic, she was doing incredible. Not only was it a modest size so as to not consume so much mana, but she also held it for five seconds. I got out of my bed and walked up to her, grabbing my coat and putting it on along the way.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27wXYip7ei
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyjpivYVmJ
"Wow, you're hard at work."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUBa3TByfa
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPV5HMIsiN
"Ah!"228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlsngzE8oj
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpOHS8A0dE
She shrieked a little, lost focus, and was splashed with water. Oops.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZ73cbQdpy
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMu71SchM6o
"Kenny! Sorry, did I wake you up?"228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZ1SYaNy9M
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqQASPacSc
"I don't think so... what time is it?"228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOK3GuClSTQ
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bN7S6mbUD
"It's six in the morning, I think. Vikky should be here soon."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkog6ZtWQuH
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zhFoalt0S
I sat beside her. She stuck both of her hands out, closed her eyes, and performed mana expulsion. A water ball manifested from thin air. She furrowed her brows, and I could hear soft grunts. Eight seconds passed before the ball erupted.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWJhUd3iIX
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6EM4YsiOf
"Ha! Yes! That's a new record!"228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWybiY1qvu
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwyfust8xN
She jumped up ecstatically, celebrating her results. I was proud too. This growth was by no means shabby, especially since this is her second time even attempting magic.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29y0jfPDoA
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1GyCJJ3yJ
I did regret sitting beside her, though.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KVJ2LROS6
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VKnXUJesE
"O-Oh, sorry Kenny, I got you wet."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMI9tnGr9h
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCs2WpX7yR
"It's alright. I'll go dry off in the sun. But before I leave, let me give you your first... let's call it a goal."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuckzDcvh8
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnkxHU7eNf
Flinty looked at me with excitement.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBX900NhFs
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoN3AkgwCcY
"A goal?"228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuSvSkfsNr
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0h9M5e6ao2
"Yes. Not one that you need to do right now of course, but one I think you can reach by yourself before we start lessons. Try holding a water ball for ten seconds with your eyes open."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYsPRmdE27
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo98VcScMEd
She looked aghast before swiftly shaking her head.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIwqEVihm0
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"Okay, I'll do my best!"228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uQVtWlvGr
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That's what I like to hear. Flinty is such a good student. She was talking nonsense last night. I got up and left the living quarters then exited the farmhouse. I was at the side where the fences were. The dogs and farm animals were eating their food. I thought of sneaking up on the puppies and petting them, but something else caught my attention. Linda was by the pens, washing and hang-drying various clothes.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfe3pGaWRSu
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmauW2eboQ
Wasn't this a little too early? Not even the most dedicated washing machines in Buffalo Village woke up at six to do their job. Well, since we were both out, I figured I might as well greet her. So, I ran over.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVkVvF9Z6a
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TFXZTl5Hn
"Good morning, Linda!"228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYZl2mJ0nO
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqvhk0JsBw
"Ah, Kenny, good morning. You're up early."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcS1zxpsTy
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3C9MLokdK
"So are you. Do you normally wake up at this time?"228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESiwaeA4la
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfW49Nz90r
Linda hung up a shirt and looked at me.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeirFs09XBn
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc45ON0z3Je
"No, only on Fridays. Friday's are laundry days."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NzDCi3HXn
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIANZ43EEih
Friday? Today is Friday?228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLp5tYGGPUA
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡky0ZaV0RMA
I lost all track of time ever since the carriage incident. I didn't even know what day it was that it happened, let alone what time of the year it is.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4Kweqfiir
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqORvyOMYz
"Say, Linda, what month and day are we in?"228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgOkc3TMCV
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8n5shTcLqY
She looked at me curiously before answering.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF71FNKY2SS
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkODf1qoHp
"It is July the seventh, year 342 KPA."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GRP91DbXS
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92EcW74fs6
My heart nearly sank when I heard that.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXHTcBOn7i
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡig9PsQK3CR
If it was July, then that means a month and a half passed since I left buffalo village. That is, if my memory is serving me well.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fuFBSinWI
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDa843RlG4K
"...Linda, I think I need to write a letter after this."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElhIilL3pS
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvFA7wlEee
"To whom? Those at your home village?"228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOueTUBoAFb
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhI4Pct9rXP
"Yes. All the chaos that occurred when I arrived here put writing a letter at the bottom of my priority bracket. That was silly of me."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRM381J2hSN
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqO5FehnhL
She lightly smiled.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4ndc8w5rF
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzuQIKDIR1
"I'm glad you hold your hometown so dearly."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgdHgRpMhj
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTZUeKbuAA
"Say, Linda, did you grow up in the Green Zone?"228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhj9OckMwo
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zs0gOWOCt
She shook her head from side to side.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUXbAOPPWH
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1aOtB83UC
"I was originally from a village lower on King's Peak. Around 20,000 feet high and 150 miles from the shore, while the Zariel Kingdom is standing comfortably at 25,000 high and 200 miles from the shore. I do miss it sometimes. Being surrounded by badlands made me feel homesick."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDqpuKBZqa
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvl1Rj0yP88
"So you decided on living here?"228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkUText9ju
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She nodded.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4IGT4ECPj
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFMKGfCrgE
"I already gave birth to Victoria by the time I moved in. She was a lively girl, even at a young age. I just hope I raised her well."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWHCeFVgBg
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzgsZ50ZU3
I wasn't going to say anything to that, because I would've felt wrong. But I did nod in response.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCa6sjV8eQ
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQS435G1FdG
"Sorry, I'm not very good at talking with children. Or, talking."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jiF313GmI
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeZPjlDz59
"No worries. I'm not good at talking either, to be frank."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4ohnCntFM
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkZBQsJeLk
"Heh. I think you're doing just fine. Now, Victoria should be waking you three up at this time, go back and tell her good morning."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQ0AZrWZSE
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzt0CVHrAW
I had a feeling that she was trying to make me go away, but looking back at the farmhouse I noticed Victoria ready with a pot and wooden spoon in hand. Am I glad I woke up early.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcn4LUL1KpA
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx81esocgfA
As I approached the house, I heard obnoxious clanging and angry yelling. A minute later, Flinty, Kim, and Victoria exited the living quarters.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9EcpTZ0pt
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNQR3aw7uu
"Oh, there you are, Kenny. Now that we're all here, who's ready for breakfast?"228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQn5D9IStAy
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIuglqm4O1
Flinty was the only one who raised her hand. Kim joined her, likely out of pity, then I did because I didn't want to be glared at.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqQkIEz9Pf
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IGxH5n40f
Breakfast was served to us in the living quarters. It was a simple dish of eggs, but Victoria made some mean eggs. After breakfast, we all received a light pack filled with bread and a flask of water. Except for Flinty, of course. But, noticing that she wouldn't receive a pack, I had to do something about the lack of materials.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6RdrdB9kC
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimWxPOwJKp
"Hey, Victoria?"228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwqBsNOgpe
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"Yes?"228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Tsa0uzH7o
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirNV2hNFsH
"Can I have some extra bread and another flask? Just in case?"228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOB92Minti1
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvo6KGjw4D6
"Don't worry, I'll be bringing back-up food and water right," she paused to pick up a large, obtuse, heavy sack sitting by a wall, "here!"228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAKRS0D0BS
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRota9gypI
That at least quelled my worries, but now I was a bit wary of Victoria. That bag looked and sounded like it was no joke, and she lifted it like it was nothing.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYaFMhwVwc
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUfwfbP3uU
"Kim, are you good?"228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFxwnNr0Jq
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8K0ZgkTO0
Kim just finished packing her bag.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyN8cyhWH8
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleGglQa5CU
"Yes. Let's get going."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxheUGAXW91
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tbI4hYCHK
"Alright! Then, before we enter the woods, let's talk about formation and all of that."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxIKmsjsMd
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AY0MTmXJE
–
–
–
We were heading to the forest. Kim and I were following Victoria from behind. Victoria had a lot of energy in her step. I thought she'd be taking this more seriously, but I guess getting pumped up doesn't mean you're taking a situation lightly. As for Kim, she was still hiding her face underneath her cloak.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pml7jkMPj
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqd3u1TcWco
That aside, we were on the other side of the crop field now. If all went according to Flinty's plan, then she'd pop out of the cornfield and casually join our group. Of course, that is, if Flinty managed to talk to Victoria before leaving.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdFQ1FniF0
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQRv8w1Vom
...She did do that, right?228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVL6z5i8hQa
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8HW5B9DyD
Looking back on the events before our departure, Flinty's only chance to talk to Victoria was before I woke up. But, she was practicing her magic.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BhG8Peo9D
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUWRZHkph6
The doubts mired my conscience. I looked over at the cornfield. Flinty's body finally popped out. Kim looked at her as well, but Victoria kept walking.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqy8LrKmX9q
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImUn3H5Ql2
Crap, she didn't tell her, did she?228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRLKOhVdRD
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"Kenny, Kim, Vikky?"228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsYfRqeOP8
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2B8pMHUlyA
"Hmm?"228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aIpqblKlz
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Victoria was the only one who sounded surprised. I was already preparing a farewell to Flinty.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETSQDpgYdZ
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTGZBjw7TB
"Oh, there you are, Flinty. I was wondering when you'd join us."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheXlMiaKkZ
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlvjlrHask
Flinty nervously giggled. I let out a breath. Phew. Phew. I was relieved, but now I was curious as to when Flinty managed to talk to Victoria.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAV7HcK1pH
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Well, that didn't matter now. We were already before the woods.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAiCmmvFr3
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0CVBOmxt1
"Alright you three, here's the formation. Since I have physical combat experience, I will be in the front. Kim will be close to Flinty, and Kenny will be in the back in case something sneaks up from behind."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRCBK9lUw4
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7v7EVIWXfZ
The way she described it, it sounded like she wanted me to be the first to be attacked.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqzB0bp5yU
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdWrzi84GC
"Also, Kenny, since you're a mage, it would be best if you were the last to be targeted."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cuY9tJv0N
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDt0aTB0KK6
"R-Right."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZwN4E99Qj
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I didn't consider myself much of a mage, but I couldn't deny that I was good at mana manipulation.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxW9iAkfJ0
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJTPMMJeyH
"Any objections?"228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBTfCqvfiN
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None of us voiced any.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeBbbtQXQM
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKiqRXBMqg
"Then, Kim, please stay close to Flinty, okay?"228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFqHfPODwN
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡox8ARdJRGC
"Of course."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPu7MTcMfkB
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11gcjjUL28
Victoria turned and faced the forest. She ventured in, and the three of us followed.
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The woods were a lot gloomier than the ones– or rather, the sole one I was used to.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwAETYJvLQ
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWERcLeabfy
The trees were taller and thicker. It wasn't particularly dark, but sunlight hardly pierced through the thick roof of leaves. Stray roots were frequent, and the grass here had a nasty tendency to cover them. But, worst of all was the atmosphere.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQih6gTCq6y
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMqPE69sbT
Since the moment I stepped in, I felt the air around me become heavier. Anybody could tell the mana in here was different. From what I read, a heavier atmosphere means that the atmospheric mana is dense. Though it did make traversing more taxing on the body, at the very least our spells required less mana to be expelled.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYtMkPw534
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqCSYUnkqf
I was steadily following the girls in front. Because I was in the back, I enjoyed the privilege of not having to watch out for roots. I puffed my chest a little. It was a dumb thing to be proud of, it was just luck. I couldn't help myself, though.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQmtlh5dPK
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡod0ZBXXH7O
That aside, the forest was peaceful. There must've been a lack of hostile wildlife. All we've been seeing were squirrels, rabbits, deer, and other prey animals.
"Watch out here, this root's massive," Victoria called out.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8f3SzbTbc
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHt9oqTcwy
It was a nice trip. Maybe a little underwhelming, but I'd take this over fighting those freakish monsters any day.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQV2nYvYXq
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3c48FBskw
Now, that being said, my shoulders were getting sore. I didn't seem to be alone in this. No, never mind, Flinty wasn't carrying a bag, I was totally alone. I didn't want to hold the team back and ask for a break, but if this kept up then I'd have to.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fV9ZXhLI0
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBd715TdtS9
"Hold on, stop here."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0nepi6yVK
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VQk417CuU
Fortune smiled upon me. Victoria called for a break– at least, I thought she did. She was peering at something from behind a tree. When I leaned in to take a look, I saw something shocking.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oGhWFlAlk
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEnUBUgYiW
It was infrastructure. Not just one building, either. There were multiple, positioned as if they belonged in a small village.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeN9MU8QlwK
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"I think we found the base of operations," Victoria said. "It might be inhabited, so be careful and quiet as we move in."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WBU7YkWyh
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I nodded. Our pace slowed tremendously. The buildings I saw were all plainly made of grey concrete. They looked ancient and were missing roofs and other miscellaneous chunks. There was also a suspicious amount of them.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DFDiaw7lf
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Aside from the sound of my breathing, I couldn't hear anything, but it was too soon to call the environment safe. After all, this had to be the base of operations, right? Victoria would occasionally branch away from us to check the insides of the buildings. They were all apparently empty and looked even worse inside than outside.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fuyhOEeDd
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"Not to mention the smell, ugh. Y'know, I don't know who left these structures here, but I wanna make a complaint."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83KKsgbsWD
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"Does it look safe?" I asked.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavSCOy90VG
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"Well, we won't know until we check them all."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqGjT8S8tZ
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So that is precisely what we did. It was a slow and tedious process, but eventually, all twelve concrete structures were inspected, and nothing suspicious was found. Relieved, we took a break inside the sturdiest concrete building we found.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRh7FQQvXA
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"The presence of these structures is suspicious," Kim said, "even though they aren't inhabited right now, there is a possibility that the perpetrator uses this place as a base of operations."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eMPylgWXW
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"I'm inclined to agree," Victoria replied, "but there's always a possibility of something else being in the forest. It isn't very vast, so we'll keep searching. In the meantime, would anyone like to eat?"228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaRHS5w6sL
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Flinty walked up to Victoria and the two of them shared their rations. I wasn't hungry, so I was satisfied with just drinking water.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAdWE1Ad5n
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"So, Kenny," Kim started, "you're a mage, are you? Where's your staff?"228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOF3dw9ROJ2
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"I'm not much of a mage. I can perform mana expulsion effectively, but my interests lay in alchemy and magical plants."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQaDBnMjyXN
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"Ah. So, mostly mana spinning. Can you–"228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDtjdi5dfC
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"Yes, I can perform mana spinning on plants."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3MPAFdV5K
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She didn't sound very surprised. Her voice was getting squeakier.
"Do you use a staff?"
"No...? Is that a bad thing?"
"Ha. No, not at all. Not at all."
She sounded suspiciously giddy.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9F2NVJ9Dj
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"Anyway, you're one of the few people I've heard of that dabbles in magical plants. Are you any good?"228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgb4SmotX2
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"Heh, well..."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3FBv6gqKh
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I wondered if I should show her the tendril. I felt as if Kim would freak out, but considering her stoic nature, it was unlikely.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3Z9encR6s
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"What's the hold-up?"228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERyNlSBZ5V
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"Uh, I'm not sure if I should show you."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUInjlOW4Ug
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She slowly nodded. Still considering if I should do it or not, Kim kept talking.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqVMp8tVWf
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"Think of it as getting to know our powers for the sake of better cooperation. I'll start with what I can do. I'm a Grade 4 Water and Fire and a Grade 5 wind mage. I wield a short sword and have dabbled in swordplay considerably. I consider myself decently agile as well."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSYgfn87Yf
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My eyes widened a bit. All things considered, a Grade-4 in any element was impressive. I didn't expect something like that from Kim. I wondered if I would be classified as a Grade-2 plant magician or something with my tendril. There wasn't any point of reference, so it was possible.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0ahAmng0o
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"So, what about you?"228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqn46wrOoB
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"Ah, right. Promise me you won't freak out."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnsYVv2VvQ
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She nodded. I let the tendril loose and it wrapped itself around my right arm like a snake. Kim's figure froze.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZKjWU7Iso
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"This is my tendril. I can use mana spinning to make one of several magical plants grow from it. From there, I can keep using mana spinning to force and amplify their effects."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfapjDHCLSS
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"I-Incredible... I've never seen such an Endowment before."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VPPnMjrfd
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She sounded genuinely amazed. I scratched my cheek a little. I produced a flash-bloom from the tendril, and Kim sounded elated.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSU3Cu9NRly
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"I can see now why– oop."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtrkyjjg7m
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She stopped her sentence midway. I was going to inquire her, but then Victoria suddenly stood up, squelched my flash-bloom, and put a hand over my mouth.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtvlNaK9vV
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IVictoria was eyeing something to my right, where the entrance to the building was. I couldn't see it, but I could hear it. I retracted my flash bloom once I did. It sounded like a noisy beast. It was dragging something, likely its own body, haphazardly against the ground. It stopped to pathetically wheeze. Then, it kept going.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6epRm3A0V7
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All of a sudden, a voice.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcskhAf1US
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"Something... I feel like something was here."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1dEavVCVl
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It was the voice of a man. An adult, one who sounded far older than us. Victoria's pupils shrunk so far that I could only see her whites. She put a hand over her mouth.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FtkP2Mo7q
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I was feeling my heart race, imagining just what it could be that Victoria was seeing. The man's voice came back.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwxTYWB7oH
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"Hmm. It might be wise to check all the houses. Jeremiah, elevate me."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9upVrDDg4m
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The beast growled. The sound of his moving limbs was so... vascular. And yet, it sounded putrid, like the beast would fall apart any second. All the while, the man loudly hummed.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oqmEKQkOY
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I looked above us. This building only had half of a roof, and though it covered us, it was anything but assuring. I looked to my left and at Kim. She was poised with her hand on the hilt of her sword, still inside her scabbard.
"Victoria," I whispered, "how bad?"
She gulped.
"I-I'm trying not to vomit right now."228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTjV2aEqAt
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Cold sweat trickled down my back. My heartbeat was getting faster. My breathing got louder and louder. I was sure that, any second now, something would escape my mouth.
I had conflicting urges. I wanted to stay indoors, but I also wanted to go out and fight that thing and do good on my part. I had to wonder: Was it that bad? Was it so bad that my tendril couldn't do anything? That my magic and plants couldn't do anything?
No, that couldn't be it, right?
"...Huh?"
All of a sudden, I felt a soft touch on my left hand. I looked and Flinty was there, grabbing my hand with both of hers. She looked terrible. She looked scared. And yet, her eyes weren't wavering. Even with her shaking body and sweaty palms, she looked at me with confidence. Our eyes met for what seemed like forever.
And then, she sternly nodded.
"..."
Right. Of course.
Now wasn't the time for this.
I was admittedly still shaking, but I was standing now. Kim stood up as well.
"I'll join you."
"Thank you."
I looked at Victoria. She was too shaken to battle.
"Victoria, look after Flinty."
Somehow, she heard me, and she nodded.
I took a deep breath. I produced a Sunlight-Blossom and loaded a seed.
Three, two, one...
"Go!"
I rushed out of the building and Kim followed after. I aimed at where the noises came from. I had to pause.
I understood Victoria's reaction entirely.
In front of me was an amalgamation of black flesh. It was a gigantic lump, nearly three times my height and as wide as the space between the buildings. A man was on top of the blob. When he noticed us, he looked shocked.
I didn't waste any more time. I shot the Sunlight-Blossom seed and–
**SPLATTER**
A yellow light zipped through the air and straight through the blob. Despite the seed's small size, it created a hole I could easily jump through.
"I got it!"
Kim rushed towards the blob. Now that it was dead, capturing the man should be easy. But then a bundle of flesh emerged from the side of the blob. Kim reacted accordingly and cut it off. It was still alive.
"W-Wait, you two, stop fighting!"
The man started frantically pleading with us. I switched flowers into a Dragon-Maw. I probably couldn't reach the man from here, but if I closed in I could grab him.
And then I stopped my advance.
A purple haze leaked from the wounds of the blob. The blob let out a bubbly wail. Kim suddenly dropped to the ground.
"Kim!?"
"Ah, you fools, you shouldn't have attacked! Damn it, no no no–"
As the man kept rambling, I avoided the approaching fog of purple. I switched my plant to a Spore-Blossom, but the spores did nothing to stop the fog.
Crap. At this rate, it would reach Flinty and Victoria. I doubt swiping at it would do anything, and using a Freeze-Dry would mean Kim would be caught in the crossfire.
With no other choice, I began expelling mana from my left palm and quickly created a fireball. Then, I morphed it into a thin vertical rectangle and let it soar through the haze.
I heard the sound of my spell connecting with the blob. I was happy for a second, especially since I couldn't see the purple haze anymore. Now that I was in a better position, I took a deep breath to calm myself down.
And then I started seeing black.
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